Comahan's Top 25 Films of 2009
The 25 films of 2009 that most captured my imagination.
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- DirectorLone ScherfigStarsCarey MulliganPeter SarsgaardAlfred MolinaA coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.Simply put, my favorite film of the year. Carey Mulligan anchors this movie, delivering the best female performance of 2009, with her older, deceitful, game playing lover Peter Sarsgaard doing his usual good work. The reason though, that I believe I enjoyed this film so much, is that Mulligan's character is so much like me. "To go to Paris and Rome, and listen to jazz, and read, and eat good food in nice restaurants. To have fun!" Was what she wanted, and I cant think of anything better. Perhaps I, like her, need an education in life, to learn that there's more to it all than that. ****1/2 out of *****
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsZooey DeschanelJoseph Gordon-LevittGeoffrey ArendAfter being dumped by the girl he believes to be his soulmate, hopeless romantic Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship to try and figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back.Do you believe in love? Fate? Thats whats at the center of this sometimes delightful, sometimes gloomy look at Tom Hansen's relationship with Summer, a girl whom he believes is 'the one'. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel earn top marks for their performances here, perfectly sliding into their roles as the leads of one of my alltime favorite films. ****1/2 out of *****
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverA paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.The biggest movie of all time, Avatar did a wonderful job of, pardon the cheesiness, transporting me into its world. There are a LOT of movies that I just sit there and shrug at during the credits, most movies in fact. But this was one of the few that I actually had jitters after. It wasnt until I was interrupted by a comment from a friend during this film that realized how utterly into the movie I had been without noticing it. I cant tell you how unbelievably rare it is for me to have that feeling. ****1/2 out of *****
- DirectorScott CooperStarsJeff BridgesMaggie GyllenhaalColin FarrellA faded country music musician is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance that also inspires him.Comparable to 'The Wrestler' of the year prior, Jeff Bridges and Crazy Heart did the same thing that Mickey Rourke and The Wrestler did in 2008 - deliver a very solid story anchored by an unbelievable performance. Jeff Bridges gets my vote for best performance, male or female, lead or supporting, in 2009 for his turn as Bad Blake. Throw in Ryan Bingham's rendition of the 'The Weary Kind', and you have one of my favorite films of 2009. ****1/4 out of *****
- DirectorJason ReitmanStarsGeorge ClooneyVera FarmigaAnna KendrickRyan's job is to travel around the country firing off people. When his boss hires Natalie, who proposes firing people via video conference, he tries to convince her that her method is a mistake.Up in the Air is the most charming film of 2009, but that should come as no surprise since it was George Clooney in the leading role. Unfortunately for Clooney, his great performance in this film is overshadowed by Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart, but thats taking nothing away from the effort that Clooney gives here alongside Vera Farmiga, who is just as good as George is, with the only difference being that there wasnt a Jeff Bridges type performance to block her from being the best in her field. ****1/4 out of *****
- DirectorJohn HillcoatStarsViggo MortensenCharlize TheronKodi Smit-McPheeIn a dangerous post-apocalyptic world, an ailing father defends his son as they slowly travel to the sea.Viggo Mortensen is brilliant in this role, delivering a top 3 male lead performance of the year in this gritty post apocalyptic tale of a father and son trying to survive. A film I had anticipated for quite some time before its release, I was extremely happy with the end result, though it seems I might be one of the few. ****1/4 out of *****
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsBrad PittDiane KrugerEli RothIn Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.What more can be said about Christoph Waltz in this film? He was absolutely perfect, and topped my list of best male supporting performances of 2009. But he was just part of what made this movie work. Tarantino is at his best here, delivering his best effort since Pulp Fiction. ****1/4 out of *****
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.This is tough for me, as not only is Mr Fox my favorite animated film of 2009, but I could make an argument that its my favorite overall film of 2009. So why is it so far down in the top 10? Your guess is as good as mine, but I think it deserves better in the end, as this was one of the more clever and comedic movies of the year. ****1/4 out of *****
- DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJeremy RennerAnthony MackieBrian GeraghtyDuring the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.Beautifully shot, beautifully directed, beautifully acted, this is one of the best 'War' films ive had the pleasure of seeing. The suspense that this film achieves without falling to typical storytelling means of doing so is one of the things that stands out most for me, though its the cleanliness and splendid cinematography that steals the show. ****1/4 out of *****
- DirectorGreg MottolaStarsJesse EisenbergKristen StewartRyan ReynoldsIn the summer of 1987, a college graduate takes a 'nowhere' job at his local amusement park, only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.The top of the list when it comes to 'fun films' of 2009. But its so much more than that. If Jesse Eisenberg wasnt already on the scene as a fine young actor, he is now as he does great work in this wonderful, realistic coming of age love story that has no heroes, no villains, just real people in real situations that had me connect with the film the entire way through. **** out of *****
- DirectorDuncan JonesStarsSam RockwellKevin SpaceyDominique McElligottAstronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.Star Trek, District 9, and Moon. Which will win out as #2 in 2009's Sci Fi rankings behind Avatar? For me, it was Moon, which presented one of my favorite 'looks' and 'feels' for a film all year, with its clean white sharpness and depressing loneliness. Sam Rockwell was excellent in his role of numerous Sam Bell's, narrowly missing out on my 5 favorite male lead performances of the year. **** out of *****
- DirectorKirk JonesStarsRobert De NiroKate BeckinsaleSam RockwellA widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children.I certainly didnt expect Everybody's Fine to be this good, but to me, it was. Robert De Niro is fabulous, while the sentimental story clicked for me, making this one of my favorite films of 2009, and my highest ranked film outside of the top 10. **** out of *****
- DirectorDrew BarrymoreStarsElliot PageDrew BarrymoreKristen WiigIn Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock-loving misfit finds a way of dealing with small-town misery after discovering a roller-derby league in nearby Austin.Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is no doubt a successful one, as she gives us one of the finest movies of the year. A late addition to my list, Whip It is up there with Zombieland, Adventureland, and Pirate Radio as the most fun film of 2009, once again reaffirming my fondness for Ellen Page. **** out of *****
- DirectorNeill BlomkampStarsSharlto CopleyDavid JamesJason CopeViolence ensues after an extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth finds a kindred spirit in a government agent exposed to their biotechnology.One of several great Sci Fi films in 2009, District 9 stood out thanks to the wonderful docu-style that it was presented in, as well as the unique story it told. Delivering great visuals on a rather small budget, this Neil Blomkamp film was one of many that contended for a top 10 spot on my list. **** out of *****
- DirectorRichard CurtisStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanBill NighyNick FrostA band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that wanted classical music, and nothing else, on the airwaves.One of the better 'fun films' of the year, Pirate Radio left me with a smile on my face at its conclusion. Rhys Ifans and Philip Seymour Hoffman highlight this movie, bringing to life one of the golden ages of music. **** out of *****
- DirectorJane CampionStarsAbbie CornishBen WhishawPaul SchneiderThe three-year romance between 19th-century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne near the end of his life.If you know me, you know that Im a sucker for well made period and costume dramas, and this film succeeded in capturing my love of the genre. Abbie Cornish and Paul Schneider delivered great performances, while the costumes for Bright Star were, in my opinion, the best of 2009. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsChris PineZachary QuintoSimon PeggThe brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.Admittedly, Ive never seen as much as a single scene from any other Star Trek movie or series. However, after seeing this film, I wanted to. A fantastic mix of drama, action, and humor, Star Trek was one of several Sci Fi movies that delivered in 2009. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColm MeaneyHenry GoodmanDavid RoperThe story of the controversial Brian Clough's 44-day reign as the coach of the English football club Leeds United.Fast becoming one of my favorite actors, Michael Sheen knocks another performance out of the park as Brian Clough, the manager of the Leed Utd football team. My favorite sports film of 2009, The Damned United beats out Invictus by a fair margain. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorMichael HanekeStarsChristian FriedelErnst JacobiLeonie BeneschStrange events happen in a small village in the north of Germany during the years before World War I, which seem to be ritual punishment. Who is responsible?One of the more wonderfully shot films of 2009, The White Ribbon is a throwback to the whodunit's of the past, though its most extraordinary accomplishment might be the fact that it was able to successfully cast children in major roles and have me not loathe them in the end. Shocking indeed. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorArmando IannucciStarsTom HollanderPeter CapaldiJames GandolfiniA political satire about a group of skeptical American and British operatives attempting to prevent a war between two countries.Smart, witty, and at times crude, In the Loop is one of the more refreshing and original films of 2009, with Peter Capaldi stealing the show as the foul mouthed Director of Communications for the UK Prime Minister. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsWillem DafoeCharlotte GainsbourgStorm Acheche SahlstrømA grieving couple retreat to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage, but nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.Certainly a film that I will never forget, several of its scenes are etched in my memory forever. That being said, there is a very good movie hidden underneath the shock and gore, with Charlotte Gainsbourg delivering one of my favorite female lead performances of 2009. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorJim SheridanStarsJake GyllenhaalNatalie PortmanTobey MaguireWhile on tour in Afghanistan, Sam's helicopter is shot down and he is presumed dead. Back home, it is his screw-up brother who looks after the family. Sam does return, but with a lot of excess baggage.A rather poignant look at post-war trauma, and the effects such a thing can have on a man and his family. All of the leads are in top form, but its Peter Parker himself that delivers a career best performance, redeeming him following the disappointment of SpiderMan 3. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorRuben FleischerStarsJesse EisenbergEmma StoneWoody HarrelsonA shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting bruiser in search of the last Twinkie and a pair of sisters striving to get to an amusement park join forces in a trek across a zombie-filled America.Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2009 for me, I went into Zombieland with very low expectations, and ended up coming out thinking that this was one of the funnest films of the year. Never have I enjoyed random zombie violence more. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.Wonderful first act lost me a bit as the movie went on, Up isnt one of my favorite Pixar films, but it was a fine movie nonetheless, with the highlight being the unbelievably perfect scene showing Carl and Ellie growing old together. ***3/4 out of *****
- DirectorRob MarshallStarsDaniel Day-LewisMarion CotillardPenélope CruzFamous film director Guido Contini struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.A little weak in areas, with several scenes I could have done without, Nine was a disappointment in my eyes, which is unfortunate as it was probably the 2009 film I was most looking forward to seeing. This film was carried by how beautifully it was shot, and by the performances, as there's certainly no lack of fantastic acting here, led by the always amazing Daniel Day Lewis. ***3/4 out of *****